This paper deals with the role of environmental protection in companies. The focus is on the combination of theoretical considerations of environmental management and the practical application of a survey. The theoretical part lays the foundation and presents a comprehensive elaboration of motivations, obstacles and tools of corporate environmental protection. Furthermore, particular attention will be drawn to the concept of Green Supply Chain Management. The aim of the survey of German and Australian companies is to elaborate the implementation of environmental protection measures and to reflect current views of the economy on environmental protection.
Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Rolle des Umweltschutzes in Unternehmungen. Die Kombination von theoretischen Überlegungen des Umweltmanagements mit der praktischen Anwendung einer Umfrage steht im Fokus. Der Theorieteil legt die Grundlagen und bietet eine umfangreiche Ausarbeitung der Gründe, Hindernisse und Werkzeuge des betrieblichen Umweltschutzes. Außerdem wird besonders auf das Konzept des Green Supply Chain Managements eingegangen. Ziel der Umfrage, gerichtet an deutsche und australische Unternehmen, ist sowohl die Ausarbeitung der Umsetzung von Umweltschutzmaßnahmen als auch das Widerspiegeln eines aktuellen Meinungsbilder der Wirtschaft zum Umweltschutz.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Background
2.1 Definitions
2.2 Origins of the mismatch
2.3 The most severe environmental concerns
2.3.1 Pollution
2.3.2 Climate Change
2.3.3 Loss of biodiversity
2.3.4 Ozone layer depletion
2.3.5 Toxins
2.3.6 Dying oceans
2.3.7 Waste and littering
2.3.8 Natural Resource Depletion
2.3.9 Deforestation
2.4 The IPAT Equation
2.5 Environmental economists on the rise
2.6 The role of trade agreements and globalisation
3 Drivers for corporate environmental protection
3.1 Green stakeholders
3.1.1 Government regulators
3.1.2 Green Consumers
3.1.3 Ethical Investors
3.1.4 Employees
3.1.5 Environmental interest groups
3.1.6 Lenders and Insurers
3.1.7 Environmental standard setters
3.2 Benefits of going green
3.2.1 Cost savings
3.2.2 Product differentiation
3.2.3 Improved public image
3.2.4 Other benefits
3.3 Summary
4 Obstacles to corporate environmental management
4.1 No need
4.2 No resources
4.3 High costs
4.4 Greenwashing
4.5 SMEs
5 Environmental Management Tools
5.1 Environmental Management Systems
5.1.1 Which requirements must be met?
5.1.2 How can an EMS be developed?
5.1.3 ISO 14000 certification
5.2 Life cycle analysis
5.3 Environmental auditing
5.4 Environmental reporting
5.5 Environmental Impact Assessment
5.6 Change management and conclusion
6 Green Supply Chain Management
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Eco-design
6.3 Green procurement
6.4 Green manufacturing
6.5 Green distribution
6.5.1 Green packaging
6.5.2 Green Logistics Management
6.5.3 Reverse logistics
6.6 End-of-life management
6.6.1 Product Stewardship
6.6.2 Extended producer responsibility
6.7 Summary
7 Survey evaluation
7.1 Methodology
7.1.1 Purpose of the study
7.1.2 Definition of the target group
7.1.3 Type of survey
7.1.4 Survey generation
7.1.5 Power up
7.1.6 Distribution
7.1.7 Processing answers
7.1.8 Analysing data
7.2 Results and analysis
7.2.1 Company details
7.2.2 The most severe environmental problems
7.2.3 Drivers and obstacles of corporate environmental protection
7.2.4 Environmental standards
7.2.5 Production processes and green supply chain management
7.2.6 Solutions
7.3 Conclusion and Recommendation
8 Summary and conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to investigate the role of environmental protection in companies, focusing on the interplay between theoretical environmental management concepts and the practical implementation of these measures in businesses. The central research objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of current environmental challenges for corporations and the effectiveness of existing tools in addressing these issues.
- The relationship between economic activity and environmental degradation.
- Key drivers and barriers for corporate environmental management adoption.
- The role of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) and management tools like ISO 14000.
- A comparative survey analysis of German and Australian corporate approaches to environmental protection.
- Identification of potential for optimization and future developments in corporate sustainability.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Origins of the mismatch
"[Y]ou can tell which institution a society considers most important by the relative height of its buildings. In medieval times, the churches were the tallest buildings. After the Renaissance, the tallest buildings were the seats of government. Today, the tallest buildings are the centers of economic activity." 12
This quote expresses the gravity to which our society revolves around the concept of economic wealth. More consumption and production are good, less consumption and production are bad. We live in a world were economic systems require endless growth - on a planet with limited resources.13 It is only logical that this concept has a major problem.
The following illustration, called "the Treadmill of Production" represents a theory developed by Schnailberg in 1976.14 It shows a society that is running on spot. "Big labor" and "big government" feed the earth' resources to the treadmill of production, lead by "big business". The goal is to "keep everyone happy" not considering that the environment is being polluted.15
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: An overview of the relationship between economic activity and the environment, outlining the study's focus on the role of corporate environmental protection.
2 Theoretical Background: Defines fundamental concepts, reviews severe environmental issues, and introduces economic models like the IPAT equation to explain industrial impacts.
3 Drivers for corporate environmental protection: Examines stakeholders, such as regulators and consumers, that push companies to adopt greener practices and discusses the benefits of these actions.
4 Obstacles to corporate environmental management: Identifies key barriers like lack of resources, perceived lack of need, and the impact of greenwashing on corporate efforts.
5 Environmental Management Tools: Outlines practical instruments including EMS, LCA, audits, and reporting used to implement and monitor corporate environmental performance.
6 Green Supply Chain Management: Explores the extension of environmental management to the entire supply chain, covering eco-design, green procurement, and end-of-life management.
7 Survey evaluation: Presents the methodology and findings of a survey conducted among German and Australian companies regarding their environmental practices and motivations.
8 Summary and conclusion: Synthesizes the theoretical and empirical findings, emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder contributions to align economic activity with ecological limits.
Keywords
Environmental management, Externality, Resources, Green stakeholders, SME, Environmental impact, Environmental standards, Reverse logistics, Product stewardship, Sustainability, Corporate social responsibility, Green supply chain management, Environmental economics, ISO 14000, EMAS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
This work examines the role of environmental protection in companies, combining theoretical frameworks with empirical data from a survey conducted among German and Australian businesses.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The core themes include environmental management systems, the drivers and obstacles for corporations to adopt green practices, and the integration of sustainability along the entire supply chain.
What is the primary research goal of this study?
The goal is to provide a profound theoretical and practical insight into how companies manage their environmental impacts and identify current status, similarities, and differences between German and Australian firms.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study uses a combination of literature review for the theoretical part and an empirical online survey targeting German and Australian companies to gather quantitative and qualitative data.
What topics are discussed in the main section of the book?
The main sections cover the origins of environmental problems, the motivations for corporate greening, obstacles (such as greenwashing or lack of resources), and tools for effective management like ISO 14000, life cycle analysis, and GSCM.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
The research is best described by keywords such as Environmental management, SME, Green Supply Chain Management, Environmental impact, and Product stewardship.
How does the "Treadmill of Production" theory relate to the work?
It illustrates the fundamental conflict between current economic systems that demand endless growth and the planet's limited resources, serving as a basis for understanding corporate environmental impact.
What significance do small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have in this report?
The report specifically highlights the challenges SMEs face in environmental management, noting their higher environmental impact per unit and the significant lack of resources that often hinders their engagement.
What is the conclusion regarding Green Supply Chain Management?
The report concludes that while there is potential for improvement, especially in product design and end-of-life management, GSCM is an essential strategy for reconciling industrial activity with environmental protection.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Katharina Hemmler (Autor:in), 2017, Environmental protection in German and Australian companies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368990
